Can someone tell me what form is needed to get community care at the mayo clinic? People in the VA don't seem to know and keep telling me I cannot be seen there if though I know I can. Can someone please assist me?
There are many good cancer centers across the US. Have you been diagnosed with lung cancer? How are you feeling? Do you feel that your cancer could be related to your service?
Can someone tell me what form is needed to get community care at the mayo clinic? People in the VA don't seem to know and keep telling me I cannot be seen there if though I know I can. Can someone please assist me?
My 72 year old husband has stage 4 squamous cell lung cancer. It is non operable and he has 3 new nodes. He has had 5 chemo (carbo/taxal) and 30 radiation treatments. We are currently in the ER after side effects from 2nd immunotherapy (durvalumab/imfinzi) treatment. They are running lots of tests to ensure no damage to organs. Scary stuff and a little disheartening. We are both hanging in there.
Oh gosh, that is scary and disheartening. Just imagine that I'm bringing you a steaming cup of tea while you wait. It'll have to be a virtual tea, I'm afraid.
My 72 year old husband has stage 4 squamous cell lung cancer. It is non operable and he has 3 new nodes. He has had 5 chemo (carbo/taxal) and 30 radiation treatments. We are currently in the ER after side effects from 2nd immunotherapy (durvalumab/imfinzi) treatment. They are running lots of tests to ensure no damage to organs. Scary stuff and a little disheartening. We are both hanging in there.
Although this is an older post, I thought I might add a bit in case someone is browsing.
The VA can certainly be difficult to navigate but once you find the key players your frustration will lessen considerably. Patient advocates are a great resource as are most VSOs. If you are going through cancer treatments contact the Cancer Navigation team at your nearest VA medical Center. Ours has 3 full time Social Workers who are all amazing.
Not only can they answer questions and concerns, they can start processes for equipment requests, second opinion requests, palliative or hospice care, help speed up authorizations through VA Community Care or just be an understanding ear. They have even helped us with getting community care records added to my husband's VA file and advised us when we filed an increased service connected disability rating due to lung cancer.
Wishing everyone the best of luck on this incredibly difficult journey.
Hello, @eott6913 -- that is a critical question when dealing with a serious illness like lung cancer about how long the process might take -- getting approved, seeing a doctor and getting referred back to your oncologist, as you mentioned here. Here I'm tagging a few members who have talked about the VA, military service or who might otherwise have knowledge about how things work with the VA, like @johnledford@dogwithem@johnbishop@paladin121@andtridd63 @19lin@1jonwilcox@johnjames@melissa23@tntredhead@missisays7@predictable@retairforceman and @latersbaby15. Hoping they can tell you about whether they've dealt with the VA and give you an idea of how long this process might take for your husband.
Although this is an older post, I thought I might add a bit in case someone is browsing.
The VA can certainly be difficult to navigate but once you find the key players your frustration will lessen considerably. Patient advocates are a great resource as are most VSOs. If you are going through cancer treatments contact the Cancer Navigation team at your nearest VA medical Center. Ours has 3 full time Social Workers who are all amazing.
Not only can they answer questions and concerns, they can start processes for equipment requests, second opinion requests, palliative or hospice care, help speed up authorizations through VA Community Care or just be an understanding ear. They have even helped us with getting community care records added to my husband's VA file and advised us when we filed an increased service connected disability rating due to lung cancer.
Wishing everyone the best of luck on this incredibly difficult journey.
Meka here, I wish I could say something positive about VA care, I am 100 percent and when diagnosed with lung cancer last year, was given one treatment choice after three months, told it was metistatic and I had maybe a year. No to second opinion, no to a larger VA with better cancer treatments. Luckily turned 65, and thank goodness Mayo accepted me. It's costing me money, but been through too much to just give it up. Yes, I have outlived their expiration date and planning on keeping on!!! Good luck!!
Meka here, I wish I could say something positive about VA care, I am 100 percent and when diagnosed with lung cancer last year, was given one treatment choice after three months, told it was metistatic and I had maybe a year. No to second opinion, no to a larger VA with better cancer treatments. Luckily turned 65, and thank goodness Mayo accepted me. It's costing me money, but been through too much to just give it up. Yes, I have outlived their expiration date and planning on keeping on!!! Good luck!!
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Hi @nikole7272, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sure this is frustrating, when all you want is to feel better, and LIVE.
Mayo Clinic and the Mayo Clinic Health System sites do participate in the VA Community Care program. (https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-expands-commitment-to-serving-veterans-by-participating-in-va-community-care-network-beginning-august-1-2020/)
Has your VA contact pointed you to form 10-10172, or are they telling you that you wouldn't be eligible? What's their reasoning? (https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10172/)
There are many good cancer centers across the US. Have you been diagnosed with lung cancer? How are you feeling? Do you feel that your cancer could be related to your service?
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3 ReactionsCan someone tell me what form is needed to get community care at the mayo clinic? People in the VA don't seem to know and keep telling me I cannot be seen there if though I know I can. Can someone please assist me?
Regards,
Nikole
It took us about 6 months of paperwork to get approved. Well worth it; lots of redtape but they have great resources!
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1 ReactionOh gosh, that is scary and disheartening. Just imagine that I'm bringing you a steaming cup of tea while you wait. It'll have to be a virtual tea, I'm afraid.
Members are talking about Imfinzi (durvalumab) in this discussion, in case it might have helpful info for you:
– A cold and Imfinzi immunotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-cold-and-infinnzi/
I hope you can return home to your bed soon. Did your husband have reactions to the first infusion with durvalumab?
My 72 year old husband has stage 4 squamous cell lung cancer. It is non operable and he has 3 new nodes. He has had 5 chemo (carbo/taxal) and 30 radiation treatments. We are currently in the ER after side effects from 2nd immunotherapy (durvalumab/imfinzi) treatment. They are running lots of tests to ensure no damage to organs. Scary stuff and a little disheartening. We are both hanging in there.
Thank you, @akjckc. People do reference older discussions, especially when there is valuable information and practical tips like you offered here.
Social workers and patient navigators are such fabulous assets to your team, especially when dealing with cancer or chronic condition.
What type of lung cancer does your husband have? How is he doing? How are you doing?
Although this is an older post, I thought I might add a bit in case someone is browsing.
The VA can certainly be difficult to navigate but once you find the key players your frustration will lessen considerably. Patient advocates are a great resource as are most VSOs. If you are going through cancer treatments contact the Cancer Navigation team at your nearest VA medical Center. Ours has 3 full time Social Workers who are all amazing.
Not only can they answer questions and concerns, they can start processes for equipment requests, second opinion requests, palliative or hospice care, help speed up authorizations through VA Community Care or just be an understanding ear. They have even helped us with getting community care records added to my husband's VA file and advised us when we filed an increased service connected disability rating due to lung cancer.
Wishing everyone the best of luck on this incredibly difficult journey.
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2 Reactions@meka- You are rocking girl! I agree, never give up, never say never. 🙂
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2 ReactionsMeka here, I wish I could say something positive about VA care, I am 100 percent and when diagnosed with lung cancer last year, was given one treatment choice after three months, told it was metistatic and I had maybe a year. No to second opinion, no to a larger VA with better cancer treatments. Luckily turned 65, and thank goodness Mayo accepted me. It's costing me money, but been through too much to just give it up. Yes, I have outlived their expiration date and planning on keeping on!!! Good luck!!
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3 Reactionsthank you sincerely...I pray that he is receiving the care that he needs to recover and pray for the facilities and world that we all live in